Williams v. Commissioner for Social Security
Filing
11
DECISION AND ENTRY- IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT: 1. The Commissioners non-disability finding is vacated; 2. No finding is made as to whether Plaintiff Holly A. Williams was under a disability within the meaning of the Social Security Act; 3. This ma tter is REMANDED to the Social Security Administration under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for further consideration consistent with this Decision and Entry; and 4. The case is terminated on the Courts docket. Signed by Magistrate Judge Sharon L. Ovington on 9/29/17. (kma)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
WESTERN DIVISION AT DAYTON
HOLLY A. WILLIAMS,
Plaintiff,
vs.
NANCY A. BERRYHILL,
COMMISSIONER OF THE SOCIAL
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION,
Defendant.
: Case No. 3:16-cv-206
:
:
: Magistrate Judge Sharon L. Ovington
:
(by full consent of the parties)
:
:
:
:
:
:
DECISION AND ENTRY
I.
Introduction
Plaintiff Holly A. Williams brings this case challenging the Social Security
Administration’s denial of her application for Supplemental Security Income. She
applied for benefits on October 11, 2012, asserting that she could no longer work a
substantial paid job. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Elizabeth A. Motta concluded that
she was not eligible for benefits because she is not under a “disability” as defined in the
Social Security Act.
The case is before the Court upon Plaintiff’s Statement of Errors (Doc. #6), the
Commissioner’s Memorandum in Opposition (Doc. #8), Plaintiff’s Reply (Doc. #9), and
the administrative record (Doc. #5).
Plaintiff seeks a remand of this case for payment of benefits or, at a minimum, for
further proceedings. The Commissioner asks the Court to affirm ALJ Motta’s nondisability decision.
II.
Background
Plaintiff asserts that she has been under a “disability” since November 1, 2004.
She was thirty-two years old at that time and was therefore considered a “younger
person” under Social Security Regulations. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.963(c). She has a high
school education. See id. § 416.964(b)(4).
A.
Plaintiff’s Testimony
Plaintiff testified at the hearing before ALJ Motta that she is not able to work
because, “My back pain is pretty severe, and it’s going down into my legs … and my
knees hurt. And just being around other people -- it really, really bothers me.” (Doc. #5,
PageID #106). Plaintiff has had back pain for about ten years but does not know what is
wrong and has never had surgery. Id. Plaintiff’s primary-care physician, Dr. Jeffries,
prescribed Norco for pain but she does not take it as much as she used to. Id. He also
prescribed a cane six to seven months before the hearing to help her walk. Id. at 108.
Plaintiff had her gallbladder removed in 2012 and has had a lot of problems as a
result. Id. at 120. If she eats anything, she has loose stools. Id. She also had bleeding
hemorrhoids that were surgically corrected. Id.
Plaintiff’s dislike of being around people has gotten worse as she has gotten older
and her kids left. Id. at 108. She isolates herself because she does not “deal well with
others.” Id. at 119. In the past, when Plaintiff was around people she did not know, she
2
used foul language. Id. She described her concentration as “not real great” because she
cannot “shut [her] mind down sometimes.” Id. at 122.
She has received mental health treatment at Darke County Recovery and Wellness
Center and, before that, at Samaritan Behavioral Health. Id. at 109. She is prescribed
medication for anxiety and depression. Id. at 110. However, “they’re kind of working on
some of the medications, because … I’m not taking a lot of the narcotics at all anymore.
So they’re trying to go with different meds.” Id. At the time of the hearing, she was
seeing Marc Marchioli, PA-C, and a counselor, Donna Turner, LISW. Id. at 110-11,
1258, 1269. Plaintiff testified that “counseling helps quite a bit.” Id. at 111. She would
like to see her counselor more but, “she’s at least seeing me for an hour at a time every
two weeks.” Id.
Plaintiff usually carries four knives with her because she does not feel safe. Id. at
117, 123. She is afraid of people and does not “trust anybody that’s coming up behind
me or sitting behind me or is going to come through a door … on me.” Id. She has to
have her back up against a wall. Id. at 119.
Plaintiff lives in a half-double house with her two daughters (ages 13 and almost
21). Id. at 103. She has a driver’s license and drives two to three times per week. Id.
Plaintiff is able to shower and dress herself. Id. at 115. Plaintiff is only able to prepare
small meals because she cannot stand for very long. Id. at 112. She can throw clothes
into the washing machine but struggles with removing them. Id. at 113-14. She does not
like to go to the grocery store “and deal with all the people in there or the parking or the
people in the parking lot or – none of that.” Id. at 114. She does not visit other people:
3
“if they want to see me, they have come to my house.” Id. She volunteers at her church
for a couple hours. Id. at 115. She does not use a computer or tablet. Id. She uses her
cell phone to access the internet and use Facebook. Id. at 116.
Plaintiff graduated high school and has tried to go back to school twice. Id. at
104. She first tried to be a medical assistant but she “can’t deal with being around all the
people” and thought she “wasn’t smart enough to comprehend the stuff ….” Id. She also
attended cosmetology school but did not complete it because there was “just too many
people.” Id. at 105.
Plaintiff has had problems with alcohol in the past but does not drink anymore. Id.
at 111. She has not smoked marijuana in “over six months.” Id.
B.
Medical Opinions
i.
Mark S. Jeffries, DO, FACOFP
Dr. Jeffries, Plaintiff’s primary-care physician, began treating Plaintiff in
November 2011. Id. at 534-38. In June 2014, Dr. Jeffries completed a Basic Medical
form for the Miami County Department of Job and Family Services. Id. at 1232-33.
Plaintiff’s medical conditions include low back pain, agoraphobia, and anxiety. Id. at
1232. Dr. Jeffries noted that her agoraphobia “makes working [with] people difficult[,]”
and Plaintiff “states [she] ‘cannot be around people.’” Id. at 1232-33. Further, Plaintiff
“needs to be evaluated by a psychiatrist.” Id. Dr. Jeffries opined Plaintiff’s conditions
were good/stable with treatment. Id. at 1232. He concluded that Plaintiff is employable
but “only if treatment is successful.” Id. at 1233.
4
On April 1, 2015, in a letter to the Miami County Department of Job and Family
Services, Dr. Jeffries opined that Plaintiff was unable to work due to her medical
conditions—chronic back pain, anxiety, and agoraphobia. Id. at 1231.
ii.
Jerry E. Flexman, Ph.D.
Dr. Flexman evaluated Plaintiff on February 12, 2013. Id. at 560-65. Plaintiff
reported that she last worked for Subway, four years prior, for two weeks before quitting.
Id. at 561. She indicated that she “got along okay with coworkers and supervisors.” Id.
Dr. Flexman noted that Plaintiff “is able to take care of all activities of daily living on her
own.” Id. She reported that she drives, prepares food, does the laundry, washes dishes,
cleans, and goes to the grocery one to three times a month. Id. Her activities include
boating/fishing, attending festivals, using a computer, playing video games, watching
TV, and visiting and talking to friends. Id. at 561-62.
Dr. Flexman observed that Plaintiff’s affect was cheerful and her attitude “was
anxious but within normal limits.” Id. at 562. “Signs of anxiety were noted, with
fidgetiness and constricted posture.” Id. She reported that “her temper is irritable and
she yells at her kids.” Id. Dr. Flexman opined, “Agoraphobia was not indicated.” Id. In
addition, Plaintiff reported “past suicidal ideation but no plans. In January 2013 she
overdosed due to stress with kid’s problems, was treated and released.” Id. at 563. He
noted “[s]omatic preoccupations.” Id. Plaintiff’s immediate attention span, abstract
reasoning effort, concentration, recent memory, and remote memory were fair. Id. Her
intellectual level of functioning “was minimally within the average range.” Id. at 563,
565.
5
Dr. Flexman diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol partial remission,
major depression recurrent, somatoform disorder NOS, cannabis abuse, and cocaine
abuse in remission. Id. at 564. He opined, based on her cordial relationship with him,
her previous work relationships, and the fact that she does not have a history of
termination from jobs due to relationship problems, Plaintiff “may not have problems in
relation to others in the workplace.” Id. at 565. Further, her “past mental health history
would not indicate problems with work pressure.” Id. And, her “daily living stresses do
not appear to significantly affect work pressures. Her ability to adjust to new tasks would
not require significant support. Work pressures would be expected to significantly
increase psychological problems.” Id.
iii.
Karla Voyten, Ph.D., & Karen Terry, Ph.D.
Dr. Voyten reviewed Plaintiff’s records on February 28, 2013. Id. at 135-45. She
found Plaintiff has one severe impairment—disorders of back–discogenic and
degenerative—and two non-severe impairments—anxiety disorder and affective disorder.
Id. at 139. Dr. Voyten opined that Plaintiff had no restriction of activities of daily living;
mild difficulties in maintaining social functioning; mild difficulties in maintaining
concentration, persistence, and pace; and no repeated episodes of decompensation. Id. at
140.
On April 27, 2013, Dr. Terry reviewed Plaintiff’s records. Id. at 147-61. Dr.
Terry confirmed Dr. Voyten’s assessment with one exception: Dr. Terry opined Plaintiff
had moderate difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, and pace. Id. at 15354. As a result of this change, Dr. Terry also completed a mental residual functional
6
capacity assessment. She found that Plaintiff “still retains the capacity for work that is
routine in nature with tasks that remain reasonably static and do not have fast-paced
performance or strict production quota requirements. Changes need to be both explained
and demonstrated.” Id. at 158. Further, “She can relate to others in a superficial manner
and does not require more than routine supervision. She should not be made to work
with the general public. Criticism should not be given in a public venue and would be
better received if constructive and alternatives suggested and explained. She should not
be made to travel in unfamiliar places, frequently interact with unfamiliar others, or use
public transportation as a part of her job duties.” Id.
III.
Standard of Review
The Social Security Administration provides Supplemental Security Income to
individuals who are under a “disability,” among other eligibility requirements. Bowen v.
City of New York, 476 U.S. 467, 470 (1986); see 42 U.S.C. § 1382(a). The term
“disability”—as defined by the Social Security Act—has specialized meaning of limited
scope. It encompasses “any medically determinable physical or mental impairment” that
precludes an applicant from performing a significant paid job—i.e., “substantial gainful
activity,” in Social Security lexicon. 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3)(A); see Bowen, 476 U.S. at
469-70.
Judicial review of an ALJ’s non-disability decision proceeds along two lines:
“whether the ALJ applied the correct legal standards and whether the findings of the ALJ
are supported by substantial evidence.” Blakley v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 581 F.3d 399,
406 (6th Cir. 2009); see Bowen v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 478 F.3d 742, 745-46 (6th Cir.
7
2007). Review for substantial evidence is not driven by whether the Court agrees or
disagrees with the ALJ’s factual findings or by whether the administrative record
contains evidence contrary to those factual findings. Gentry v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 741
F.3d 708, 722 (6th Cir. 2014); Rogers v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 486 F.3d 234, 241 (6th Cir.
2007). Instead, the ALJ’s factual findings are upheld if the substantial-evidence standard
is met—that is, “if a ‘reasonable mind might accept the relevant evidence as adequate to
support a conclusion.’” Blakley, 581 F.3d at 407 (quoting Warner v. Comm’r of Soc.
Sec., 375 F.3d 387, 390 (6th Cir. 2004)). Substantial evidence consists of “more than a
scintilla of evidence but less than a preponderance ….” Rogers, 486 F.3d at 241
(citations and internal quotation marks omitted); see Gentry, 741 F.3d at 722.
The other line of judicial inquiry—reviewing the correctness of the ALJ’s legal
criteria—may result in reversal even when the record contains substantial evidence
supporting the ALJ’s factual findings. Rabbers v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 582 F.3d 647,
651 (6th Cir. 2009); see Bowen, 478 F.3d at 746. “[E]ven if supported by substantial
evidence, ‘a decision of the Commissioner will not be upheld where the SSA fails to
follow its own regulations and where that error prejudices a claimant on the merits or
deprives the claimant of a substantial right.’” Rabbers, 582 F.3d at 651 (quoting, in part,
Bowen, 478 F.3d at 746, and citing Wilson v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 378 F.3d 541, 546-47
(6th Cir. 2004)).
IV.
The ALJ’s Decision
As noted previously, it fell to ALJ Motta to evaluate the evidence connected to
Plaintiff’s application for benefits. She did so by considering each of the five sequential
8
steps set forth in the Social Security Regulations. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.920. She reached
the following main conclusions:
Step 1:
Plaintiff has not engaged in substantial gainful employment since
October 11, 2012.
Step 2:
She has the severe impairments of mild degenerative disc disease of
the lumbar spine, anxiety disorder, and history of polysubstance abuse
in reported remission.
Step 3:
She does not have an impairment or combination of impairments that
meets or equals the severity of one in the Commissioner’s Listing of
Impairments, 20 C.F.R. Part 404, Subpart P, Appendix 1.
Step 4:
Her residual functional capacity, or the most she could do despite her
impairments, see Howard v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 276 F.3d 235, 239
(6th Cir. 2002), consists of “medium work … including lifting and
carrying up to 50 pounds occasionally and 25 pounds frequently.
Postural activities (e.g., climbing ramps or stairs, balancing, stooping,
kneeling, crawling, crouching) can be done frequently. The claimant
cannot climb ladders, ropes or scaffolds. She should avoid exposure
to hazards (e.g., dangerous machinery and unprotected heights). The
claimant should have regular access to restroom facilities (i.e., no
need to seek out a replacement before using restroom facilities and no
unusual distances from such facilities – e.g., ordinary office-type
work environment facilities). She is limited to performing simple,
repetitive tasks of a low-stress nature (i.e., no strict production quotas
or fast pace and only routine work with few changes in work setting).
The claimant should have no contact with the public as part of job
duties. She should have no more than occasional contact with coworkers and supervisors. The claimant should not be expected to
perform tasks involving teamwork.”
Step 4:
She has no past relevant work.
Step 5:
She could perform a significant number of jobs that exist in the
national economy.
(Doc. #5, PageID #s 71-90). These main findings led the ALJ to ultimately conclude that
Plaintiff was not under a benefits-qualifying disability. Id. at 90.
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V.
Discussion
Plaintiff contends that the ALJ failed to properly evaluate the medical opinions
and failed to consider or address her mental health treatment records. The Commissioner
maintains that substantial evidence supports the ALJ’s evaluation of the medical opinion
evidence and she properly considered all of the record evidence.
A.
Medical Opinions
Social Security Regulations require ALJs to adhere to certain standards when
weighing medical opinions. “Key among these is that greater deference is generally
given to the opinions of treating physicians than to those of non-treating physicians,
commonly known as the treating physician rule.” Rogers, 486 F.3d at 242 (citations
omitted). The rule is straightforward:
Treating-source opinions must be given “controlling weight”
if two conditions are met: (1) the opinion “is well-supported
by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic
techniques”; and (2) the opinion “is not inconsistent with the
other substantial evidence in [the] case record.”
Gayheart v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., 710 F.3d 365, 376 (6th Cir. 2013) (quoting, in part, 20
C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2)); see Gentry, 741 F.3d at 723.
If the treating physician’s opinion is not controlling, “the ALJ, in determining how
much weight is appropriate, must consider a host of factors, including the length,
frequency, nature, and extent of the treatment relationship; the supportability and
consistency of the physician’s conclusions; the specialization of the physician; and any
other relevant factors.” Rogers, 486 F.3d at 242 (citing Wilson, 378 F.3d at 544).
10
The Regulations also require ALJs to provide “good reasons” for the weight
placed upon a treating source’s opinions. Wilson, 378 F.3d at 544. This mandatory
“good reasons” requirement is satisfied when the ALJ provides “specific reasons for the
weight placed on a treating source’s medical opinions.” Id. (quoting Soc. Sec. R. 96-2p,
1996 WL 374188, at *5 (Soc. Sec. Admin. July 2, 1996)). The goal is to make clear to
any subsequent reviewer the weight given and the reasons for that weight. Id.
Substantial evidence must support the reasons provided by the ALJ. Id.
ALJ Motta discusses the weight she assigned Dr. Jeffries’ opinions at several
different points in her decision. She first addresses his opinions on Plaintiff’s mental
impairments. The ALJ did not, however, determine whether his opinions were entitled to
controlling weight under the treating physician rule before she addressed the factors. See
Gayheart, 710 F.3d at 376 (citing 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(c)(2)) (“these factors are
properly applied only after the ALJ has determined that a treating-source opinion will not
be given controlling weight.”).
Nevertheless, ALJ Motta does address the treating physician rule. She concluded
that Dr. Jeffries’ opinion that Plaintiff is “unable to work due to her physical and mental
impairments cannot be given controlling or even deferential weight (and is, in fact,
entitled to no weight whatsoever). The conclusions of Dr. Jeffries are neither well
supported by medically acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques nor
consistent with other substantial evidence in the case record.” (Doc. #5, PageID #79).
Under the first condition—whether the opinion is well-supported by medically
acceptable clinical and laboratory diagnostic techniques—ALJ Motta found: “The extent
11
of impairment described by Dr. Jeffries could only be based on uncritical acceptance of
[Plaintiff’s] subjective complaints. Treatment records do not document a mental (or
physical) impairment of a severity that would be expected to render an individual unable
to work in all manner of competitive employment.” Id.; see id. at 78 (citation omitted)
(“Dr. Jeffries attributed [Plaintiff’s] purported inability to work (at least in part) to
[Plaintiff’s] her own assertion that she cannot be around people – a finding that is not
supported by convincing evidence (see, for example, the findings of recognized mental
health professional Dr. Flexman). Dr. Jeffries, himself, described the claimant's
condition as ‘good/stable with treatment.’”).
It is not reasonable for ALJ Motta to assume that Dr. Jeffries relied solely on
Plaintiff’s subjective complaints because he did not indicate in any way that he relied
only on Plaintiff’s subjective reports and because physicians are trained to both consider
and investigate subjective reports as opposed to blindly accepting them on face value.
See Felisky v. Bowen, 35 F.3d 1027, 1040 (6th Cir. 1994) (“[A] physician’s job is not to
question his or her patient’s statements, but is rather to match those statements with a
diagnosis. … Surely, if they had any doubts about [the plaintiff’s] credibility, some
mention of it would appear in the medical record.”).
ALJ Motta also overlooked or ignored the significant number of treatment notes
from both Dr. Jeffries and Plaintiff’s mental health providers that support Dr. Jeffries’
opinions. For example, Dr. Jeffries noted on several occasions that Plaintiff was
experiencing high irritability, hostility, depression, restlessness/agitation, and anxiety.
See Doc. #5, PageID #s 482, 486, 520, 912. In October 2013, Plaintiff reported to her
12
counselor, Heather Stevens, LISW, that she carries knives at all times, one on her person
and one in her purse. Id. at 763. Ms. Stevens observed that Plaintiff’s eye contact was
intense, she was agitated and hyperactive, and her speech was pressured. Id. Ms.
Stevens noted in November 2013 that Plaintiff “presented as very anxious throughout the
session as evidenced by rapidly shaking her leg.” Id. at 754. When Ms. Stevens
recommended that Plaintiff go to the convention center for Thanksgiving (because she
did not have anywhere else to go), Plaintiff told her she was worried there would be too
many people that would make her anxious. Id. at 751. Additionally, in August 2015,
Plaintiff’s counselor, Donna Turner, LSW, noted that Plaintiff’s “symptoms are ‘not
improved much[,]’ as she cannot sleep, racing thoughts, continually hypervigilant, …
jumps from subject to subject without warning, and when she notices one new thing, she
cannot remember what she was doing.” Id. at 1145. Further, she observed that
Plaintiff’s leg was bouncing, she fidgeted, and could not sit still. Id. Ms. Turner reported
in September 2014 that Plaintiff’s “voice becomes very loud at times, as she becomes
angry or indignant about how she is treated.” Id. at 1133.
There is no indication in the ALJ’s decision that she considered these or other
similar notes. This constitutes error: “[A] substantiality of evidence evaluation does not
permit a selective reading of the record. ‘Substantiality of the evidence must be based
upon the record taken as a whole. Substantial evidence is not simply some evidence, or
even a great deal of evidence. Rather, the substantiality of evidence must take into
account whatever in the record fairly detracts from its weight.’” Brooks v. Comm’r of
13
Soc. Sec., 531 F. App’x 636, 641 (6th Cir. 2013) (quoting, in part, Garner v. Heckler, 745
F.2d 383, 388 (6th Cir. 1984)) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted).
Turning to the second condition of the treating physician rule—whether the
opinion is not inconsistent with the other substantial evidence in the case record—ALJ
Motta, despite initially stating the correct standard, concludes that Dr. Jeffries’ opinion is
not consistent with substantial evidence. A treating physician’s opinion, however, need
not be consistent with other substantial evidence—it need only be “not inconsistent” with
other substantial evidence of record. The difference is significant. The Social Security
Administration defines “not inconsistent:” “This is a term used to indicate that a wellsupported treating source medical opinion need not be supported directly by all of the
other evidence (i.e., it does not have to be consistent with all the other evidence) as long
as there is no other substantial evidence in the case record that contradicts or conflicts
with the opinion.” Soc. Sec. R. 96-2p, 1996 WL 374188, at *3. By needing Dr. Jeffries’
opinions be consistent with the record, the ALJ required more of his opinions than the
Regulations require. This constitutes error. See Bowen, 478 F.3d at 746 (“[A] decision
of the Commissioner will not be upheld where the SSA fails to follow its own regulations
and where that error prejudices a claimant on the merits or deprives the claimant of a
substantial right.”) (citing Wilson, 378 F.3d at 546-47).
However, even if Dr. Jeffries’ opinion is not entitled to controlling weight under
the treating physician rule, ALJ Motta’s review is not complete. “Treating source
medical opinions are still entitled to deference and must be weighed using all of the
factors provided in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1527 and 416.927.” Soc. Sec. R. 96-2p, 1996 WL
14
374188, at *4. As previously mentioned, ALJ Motta improperly addressed the factors
before addressing the treating physician rule.
ALJ Motta first points out that Dr. Jeffries is a family physician—not a mental
health professional—and he did not “treat [Plaintiff] for a mental impairment (other than
by prescribing psychotropic medication).” (Doc. #5, PageID #78). Specialization is a
factor for an ALJ to consider when weighing a physician’s opinion. See 20 C.F.R. §
416.927(c)(5) (“We generally give more weight to the medical opinion of a specialist
about medical issues related to his or her area of specialty than to the medical opinion of
a source who is not a specialist.”). But, there are two problems with ALJ Motta’s
conclusion.
Although Dr. Jeffries is not a psychiatrist or psychologist, he treated Plaintiff for
anxiety and depression. He also had the benefit of observing Plaintiff during her many
office visits over many years. There is no indication in the record that Dr. Jeffries was
unqualified to treat Plaintiff’s mental health problems by prescribing medication and
adjusting it over time. Substantial evidence, therefore, does not support the ALJ’s use of
the specialization factor to find Dr. Jeffries unqualified to an offer an opinion about
Plaintiff’s mental functioning. See Kester v. Astrue, 2009 WL 275438, at *7 (S.D. Ohio
2009) (While the family doctor “did not specialize in mental health treatment, his training
and licensing as a family physician still made him qualified to treat and prescribe such
medications for Plaintiff.”).
Further, ALJ Motta’s conclusion that Dr. Jeffries did not “treat” Plaintiff for her
mental impairments is perplexing—if not absurd. The definition of “treat” (at least as it
15
applies in the present case) is “to care for or deal with medically and surgically.”
Definition of Treat, MERRIAM-WEBSTER https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/treat (last visited Sept. 29, 2017). Or, put another way, “Give
medical care or attention to; try to heal or cure.” Definition of Treat, ENG. OXFORD
LIVING DICTIONARIES https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/treat (last visited Sept.
29, 2017).
The record reveals a long history of Dr. Jeffries’ treatment of Plaintiff’s mental
impairments. For instance, Plaintiff first reported anxiety and depression to Dr. Jeffries
on March 5, 2012. (Doc. #5, PageID #520). He noted that she was “very emotional
(tearful).” Id. Dr. Jeffries initially diagnosed dysthymic disorder. Id. at 521. In
December 2012, Dr. Jeffries noted, “mood was worse; increased anxiety; panic
symptoms.” Id. at 486. Additionally, she was experiencing high irritability; anxiety;
restlessness/agitation; sleep disturbances; anxiety with excessive sweating; trembling or
shaking; and headaches. Id. Plaintiff reported interference with her household activities,
sleep, and school. Id. Dr. Jeffries diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder and prescribed
lorazepam. Id. at 487. He continued to treat her mental impairments on and off, and as
recently as January 9, 2015, he noted that she had increased and anxiety and panic
symptoms; diagnosed mixed anxiety and depression disorder; and prescribed
clonazepam. Id. at 1214.
Next, ALJ Motta finds, “His assertion that [Plaintiff] has ‘disabling’ anxiety and
agoraphobia is implausible given [Plaintiff’s] level of functioning as documented
elsewhere in the record.” Id. at 78. But, the ALJ does not provide any examples or
16
citation to the record and does not indicate where “elsewhere” is. And, Plaintiff’s ability
to, for instance, clean her house, use a computer, and take care of her personal grooming
and hygiene needs is not inconsistent with anxiety and agoraphobia. See Gayheart, 710
F.3d at 377 (“the ALJ does not contend, and the record does not suggest, that [the
plaintiff] could do any of these activities on a sustained basis, which is how functional
limitations of mental impairments are to be assessed.”).
ALJ Motta also questioned Dr. Jeffries’ choice of terms: “What Dr. Jeffries meant
by ‘unable to work’ is not clear nor is such a generic statement consistent with the
specific and precise definition of ‘disability’ for Social Security purposes.” (Doc. #5.
PageID #78). And, she found, “In the same report, Dr. Jeffries did not rule out the
possibility that [Plaintiff] could, in fact, work and he characterized [her] as ‘employable’
(if treatment is successful).” Id. (citation omitted).
As an initial matter, the statements were not made in the same report. Dr. Jeffries
indicated in June 2014 that Plaintiff was employable “only if treatment is successful.” Id.
at 1233. In April 2015, he opined, “At this time due to her medical conditions she is
unable to work.” Id. at 1231. These two statements, moreover, are not inconsistent.
Although ALJ Motta tries to minimalize his conditional statement, it plainly states “only
if treatment is successful.” Id. at 1233 (emphasis added).
Last, ALJ Motta observed, “The ultimate conclusion as to whether an individual
satisfies the statutory definition of ‘disability’ is an issue that is reserved to the
Commissioner of Social Security.” Id. at 78 (citation omitted). But, the fact that Dr.
Jeffries expressed an opinion on the ultimate issue of Plaintiff’s disability status is not a
17
valid reason to discount or ignore it. “The pertinent regulation says that ‘a statement by a
medical source that you are ‘disabled’ or ‘unable to work’ does not mean that we will
determine that you are disabled.’ That’s not the same thing as saying that such a
statement is improper and therefore to be ignored....” Bjornson v. Astrue, 671 F.3d 640,
647 (7th Cir. 2012) (internal citation omitted); see Kalmbach v. Comm’r of Soc. Sec., No.
09-2076, 409 F. App’x 852, 861 (6th Cir. 2011) (“the fact that the ultimate determination
of disability, per se, is reserved to the Commissioner, 20 C.F.R. § 404.1527(e) [§
416.927(d)(1)], did not supply the ALJ with a legitimate basis to disregard the
physicians’ [opinions].”).
ALJ Motta does not address the factors that tend to support Dr. Jeffries’
conclusions. For example, although the ALJ recognizes that Dr. Jeffries is Plaintiff’s
treating physician, she does not acknowledge the length and frequency of examinations.
See 20 C.F.R. § 416.927(c)(2)(i) (“Generally, the longer a treating source has treated you
and the more times you have been seen by a treating source, the more weight we will give
to the source’s medical opinion.”). This was a significant omission because Dr. Jeffries
began treating Plaintiff in 2011 and saw her twelve times in 2012, eleven times in 2013,
and seventeen times in 2014. See Doc. #5, PageID #s 480-538, 878-960, 1019-53, 120622.
Likewise, the ALJ does not address consistency. See 20 C.F.R. § 416.927 (c)(4)
(“Generally, the more consistent a medical opinion is with the record as a whole, the
more weight we will give to that medical opinion.”). Plaintiff’s treatment records from
Day-Mont Behavioral Healthcare and Darke County Recovery Services are consistent
18
with Dr. Jeffries’ treatment notes and opinion. For example, Plaintiff’s anxiety, agitation,
and depression are consistently documented throughout the record. See Doc. #5, PageID
#s 482, 486, 520, 805, 829, 834, 912, 1145, 1147, 1151, 1153, 1259, 1275.
“Because the reason-giving requirement exists to ‘ensur[e] that each denied
claimant receives fair process,’ … an ALJ’s ‘failure to follow the procedural requirement
of identifying the reasons for discounting the opinions and for explaining precisely how
those reasons affected the weight’ given ‘denotes a lack of substantial evidence, even
where the conclusion of the ALJ may be justified based upon the record.’” Blakley, 581
F.3d at 407 (quoting Rogers, 486 F.3d at 243).
Accordingly, for the above reasons, Plaintiff’s Statement of Errors is well taken.1
B.
Remand
A remand is appropriate when the ALJ’s decision is unsupported by substantial
evidence or when the ALJ failed to follow the Administration’s own regulations and that
shortcoming prejudiced the plaintiff on the merits or deprived the plaintiff of a substantial
right. Bowen, 478 F.3d at 746. Remand may be warranted when the ALJ failed to
provide “good reasons” for rejecting a treating medical source’s opinions, see Wilson,
378 F.3d at 545-47; failed to consider certain evidence, such as a treating source’s
opinions, see Bowen, 478 F.3d at 747-50; failed to consider the combined effect of the
plaintiff’s impairments, see Gentry, 741 F.3d at 725-26; or failed to provide specific
1
In light of the above discussion, and the resulting need to remand this case, an in-depth analysis of
Plaintiff’s other challenges to the ALJ’s decision is unwarranted.
19
reasons supported by substantial evidence for finding the plaintiff lacks credibility, see
Rogers, 486 F.3d at 249.
Under sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g), the Court has authority to affirm,
modify, or reverse the Commissioner’s decision “with or without remanding the cause for
rehearing.” Melkonyan v. Sullivan, 501 U.S. 89, 99 (1991). Consequently, a remand
under sentence four may result in the need for further proceedings or an immediate award
of benefits. E.g., Blakley, 581 F.3d at 410; Felisky, 35 F.3d at 1041. The latter is
warranted where the evidence of disability is overwhelming or where the evidence of
disability is strong while contrary evidence is lacking. Faucher v. Sec’y of Health &
Human Servs., 17 F.3d 171, 176 (6th Cir. 1994).
A judicial award of benefits is unwarranted in the present case because the
evidence of disability is not overwhelming and the evidence of disability is not strong
while contrary evidence is lacking. However, Plaintiff is entitled to an Order remanding
this case to the Social Security Administration pursuant to sentence four of § 405(g) due
to the problems discussed above. On remand, the ALJ should be directed to evaluate the
evidence of record, including the medical source opinions, under the applicable legal
criteria mandated by the Commissioner’s Regulations and Rulings and by case law; and
to evaluate Plaintiff’s disability claim under the required five-step sequential analysis to
determine anew whether Plaintiff was under a disability and whether her application for
Supplemental Security Income should be granted.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT:
1.
The Commissioner’s non-disability finding is vacated;
20
2.
No finding is made as to whether Plaintiff Holly A. Williams was under a
“disability” within the meaning of the Social Security Act;
3.
This matter is REMANDED to the Social Security Administration under
sentence four of 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) for further consideration consistent
with this Decision and Entry; and
4.
The case is terminated on the Court’s docket.
Date: September 29, 2017
s/Sharon L. Ovington
Sharon L. Ovington
United States Magistrate Judge
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